TOUR SUMMARY

• Duration: 22 days starting in Lima and ending in Iquitos
• Trip focus: An active trip exploring Peruvian culture from the Inca empire to rainforest and desert communites. Wildlife viewing in the Amazon and Colca Canyon.
• Accommodation: Simple hotels, 3 nights camping, 2 nights jungle lodge, 1 night home stay on Lake Titicaca
• Transport: flight, bus, train, motorized canoe, launch
• Group Size: Max 12 + S.E.T. tour leader, Min 4

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Experience the floating reed islands of the Uros and a homestay on Amantani Island Lake Titicaca
• Enjoy a boat trip to see the wildlife of the Ballestas Islands
• Wander the colonial city of Arequipa and watch soaring condors in the Colca Canyon
• Hike the ancient Inca Trail (or similar) to Machu Picchu
• Travel deep into the Amazon rainforest near Iquitos and spot exotic wildlife
• Indulge in fine Peruvian cuisine
• Explore the city of Cusco and Sacred Valley of the Incas

ITINERARY

DAY 1 LIMA, ARRIVAL DAY - You are free to arrive and check in at any time. There will be a briefing that night and a chance for you to meet your traveling companions and ask questions. The information will be awaiting you at the reception regarding that nights briefing. If arriving late in the evening, don't worry! You will be briefed in the morning and meet the group.

DAY 2 LIMA – A chance to get rid of jet lag and experience the sights and sounds of Lima. We’ll take you on a city tour and then show you our favourite spots in the suburbs of Barranco and Miraflores.

DAYS 3/4 PISCO, NAZCA - We travel onto Pisco for the night. Famous for Peru's national drink "Pisco Sour", we will be able to sample some fantastic seafood and local cuisine complimented by a Pisco Sour and life on the coast. An early rise on day 4 will enable us to enjoy a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands. Rich in marine life, our local guide will explain to us about the areas history, ecology, economy and the ancient Paracas culture. Continuing through the desert onto Nazca, the home to the mysterious Nazca lines. A tour of the local area and an ancient cemetery will enlighten us to this fascinating place. You may also take an optional flight over the lines.

DAYS 5/6 AREQUIPA – a long travelling day to arguably Peru's most beautiful city. Arequipa exhibits delightful colonial past and traditional values through its architecture, and it's people. Situated under the volcano "El Misti", you will be able to stroll around the city enjoying the local museums, churches, convent and Arequipa's main plaza. Sample some of the many superb regional dishes.

DAYS 7/8/9 COLCA CANYON, PUNO - From Arequipa we travel to Chivay and then onto the Colca Canyon, home to the famous Andean Condor. Seldom anywhere else, will you be able to view these birds close up, as they sore above us while on the edge of the deepest canyon in the world. With 2 nights, we will have the option to hike down into the canyon, visit local villages, soak in thermal baths and sample the life, music and spectacular scenery. You will come away with a true appreciation of how life is, in this part of the Andes. We continue through to the city of Puno on Day 9.

DAYS 10/11 PUNO, LAKE TITICACA - Enjoy spectacular views of the countryside on this full day of travel from Cuzco to Puno through the high Altiplano region, which brings us to the shores of the magnificent "Lake Titicaca". The following morning we board a boat bound for the floating islands of Uros and from there further along the lake to the islands of Amantani and Taquile, along the way learning of the legends and the ways of the lake and its people where life has remained relatively unchanged over the centuries. An overnight home stay will allow us to live with a family on the islands. We return to Puno for the night 11.

DAYS 12/13 CUSCO, OLLANTAYTAMBO - An early morning bus takes us to the imperial city of the Incas, Cusco. Rich in history and surrounded by ancient Inca sites, churches and museums and markets, there is plenty for all to do and see. On day 13 we head out to explore the Sacred Valley before embarking on the Inca Trail.

DAYS 14/15/16/17 INCA TRAIL - A short ride in the morning brings us to Km 82 where our hike begins on the ancient trail of the Incas. Our local guide, cook and porters ensure an enjoyable hike through spectacular scenery, taking in ancient Inca sites on the way. Our hike finishes with an early morning arrival to the sun gate of Machu Picchu and a guided tour of this incredible Inca site. We have most of the day to enjoy this special place, descending later in the afternoon to Aguas Calientes, to catch a train back to Cusco for night 17.

Special Note : Due to new Inca Trail regulations and the restriction of the number of hikers allowed to be on the trail at any one time, an alternative Inca Trail may have to be used. These hikes are as spectacular as the Inca Trail with far, far less people, ending below the site of Machu Picchu. Sunrise can still be seen at Machu Picchu, with an early rise on Day 17, and a hike up to the entrance of the site.

DAY 18 CUSCO - Free time to explore this beautiful city with great shopping, or just relax in one of the many cafes and soak up the special atmosphere, which makes Cusco truely unique place.

DAYS 19/20/21 IQUITOS JUNGLE EXCURSION - An early morning flight takes us from Cusco via Lima deep into the Amazon city Iquitos. Travelling by motorized canoe to our jungle lodge deep in the Amazon Rainforest where our local guides will share with us there knowledge of the rich bird, animal and plant life that make the jungle an unforgettable place for all those who visit. We return to Iquitos late on day 21, and spend the night in this vibrant jungle city.

DAY 22 IQUITOS- DEPARTURE DAY. HASTA LUEGO Y GRACIAS AMIGOS.

IS THIS ADVENTURE FOR YOU?

This tour has a varied and interesting itinerary, with an in depth look at Peru's diverse cultures and geography. You will travel a on a variety of transport from motorized canoes to local buses and private mini vans. The buses are large comfortable coaches with reclining seats.

There is moderate walking involved like you would do every day, though it can be a bit tougher with the altitude in areas like Cuzco, Puno and the Colca Canyon. Accommodation is simple but comfortable with en-suite rooms. Hotels are chosen for their safety, location, ambience and friendly staff. There may be a multi-share night (triple or quad) at the homestay on Lake Titicaca.

The Inca Trail trek can be challenging due to the high altitude and a moderate to good level of fitness is required for you to get the maximum enjoyment from the trek. Typically each day on the trail involves 6-8 hours of hiking over altitudes of up to 4200m (13776 ft). As all levels of fitness are catered for, you do have the option of spending extra nights in Cuzco then taking the train and to overnight in Aguas Calientes and meet up with hikers on the morning of day 17. This will all be pre arranged for you by S.E.T.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE ... pretty much everything!

• Insightful Lima city tour
• Guided tour of the Uros Islands and Taquile Island on Lake Titicaca (overnight)
• Guided boat trip to the Ballestas Islands
• Guided tour of Nazca and pre Inca burial site, and ceramic studio
• Optional 4-day Inca Trail or similar hike with local guide, cook, and porters
• Optional train to Machu Picchu if not walking the Inca trail
• The Colca Canyon (2 nights)
• Guided tour of Machu Picchu
• Iquitos Amazon Excursion (2 nights)
• Bilingual guides
• All flights and land transport within the itinerary.
• The cost of entry for all scheduled tours.
• All meals as listed Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner in the trip dossier
• All hotel accommodations* (on a twin share basis including continental breakfast). Additional accommodation can be arranged at the clients request
• Transfers from your international flight to your hotel

PAYING LOCALLY

Most of our adventure tours involve a local payment. Paying locally allows us to keep the overall cost of our tours competitive and pass the savings on to you. These funds are put towards local expenses. In some developing countries the transferring of funds is at times problematic so this is a way to help us serve you, whilst saving you money. This is especially true of Argentina since the devaluation of the peso. Payment is to be made to your leader upon arrival in cash.
All prices are approximates and subject to currency fluctuations until final payment has been made.